Switch mounting



Feb. 10, 1931. w. R. WALKER 1,191,944

SWITCH MOUNTING Filed Oct. 18, 1924 Patented Feb. 10, 1931 UNITED sTATEs PATENT oFFIcE WARREN R. WALKER, OF GREAT KILLS,- NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELEC- TRIO VAPOR LAMP COMPANY, OF HOBOKEN, NEW JERSEY A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY SWITCH MOUNTING Application flle'd October 18,1924. Serial No. 744,300.

My present invention relates to electric switches of the liquid flow type and particularly to means for mounting said switches for the movement thereof'in the opening and closing of an electric current path therethrough.

It is an object of my invention to provide mounting and operating means which are simple of construction, assembly, and operation and which are durable and have a minimum of moving and wearing parts.

It is a further object of my invention to combine in a liquid flow switch outfit electrical connecting means which serve as means for supporting the switch for the movement thereof in the making and breaking of a circuit therethrough.

' A further object of my invention is to provide a switch outfit of this type in which there is obviated the crystallization and other wear and deterioration of the electrical connections therefrom such as occurs in flexible connections such as are common in switches of this type.

# Other objects of my invention will appear from the specification and drawings.

In the drawings: Fig. 1, is an elevational View of an apparatus embodying the features of my invention in which is shown a tubular mercury switch havingri id extensions from the terminals thereof w ich are pivotally connected to a support, and having an insulated block between said extensions which supports a handle for the movement of said switch, electrical connections being made at the stationary parts of the pivots, the switch being in the closed circuit position.

Fig. 2, is 8. end elevation view of the device of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 3, is a front elevational viewof the de vice of Fig. 1, in which the switch is shown in the open circuit position.

In the drawing the insulating block 1 car- 5 ries at each end a metal member 2 held to said block by screws 3 and having depending members 4 which together serve to support the tubular mercury switch, the metal terminal caps 6 of which make electrical connections with said members 4 which are secured thereto as by soldering, brazing or the like. On said members 2 are formed the rigid extensions 7 which are pivoted at a substantially common axis to the supporting members 8 which also are of electrical conducting material and are mounted on a suitable insulating member 16, good electrical connection being maintained between each of said extensions 7 and its respective supporting member 8 by means of the spring washers 9 which press said members 8 and the respective extension 7 into firm contact with each other, which maintain such contact during the movement of the extensions 7 at their pivots, and which take up any wear which occurs between said parts during such movement and thereby continue the maintenance of good electric contacts between the extensions 7 and members 8 even after continuous and extended use of the switch. Electric connections are made to the wires 10- by means of the members 11 and screws- 12. The handle 13'mounted to said block 1 serves as means for moving the switch for the making and breaking of the circuit therethrough.

In the use and operation of the switch of my invention the switch 5 istilted from one position to another for the opening or closing of the circuit therethrough by means of the handle 13, the extensions 7, 7 serving both as electrical leads fromthe switch terminals and as a pivotal support for the switch. The block 1 serves as means for protecting said switch 5 both from contact with other bodies and for relieving it of any strains which might occur in the movement thereofor be transmitted thereto from the support members thereof.

Without depating from the spirit of my invention when required or desirable I provide and utilize extensions on the terminals 2 for protecting the switch and relieving it of any strains, said extensions being insulated from each other by means of suitably insulating material aflixed thereto, the mov-. ing handle being connected to the switch through such insulating member or through another suitable insulating member. Also when required, instead of soldering or brazing the switch terminal caps 6 to the members 4, I form on members 2 spring clips for removably receiving the terminal caps 6 of the switch 5. For example in such a case the extensions 7 are, when desired, formed as part of said clips and another cooperating member being provided for the other side of the terminal cap and one or both being formed in accordance with the shape of the terminal cap to receive and securely hold it in position. In such case the members 4 are made of sufficient length to protect the end of the switch or merely to prevent longitudinal movement thereof or are dispensed with in which latter case they are, when desired, replaced by extensions on the clip members. I have shown in the drawings the members 2, membars 4, and the extensions 7 as being of unitary structure, it is to be understoodfhowever, that within the spirit of my invention these parts are when required and desired made up of separate parts to provide for the particular requirements to be met.

For use in gas houses, textile mills, grain elevators, and other places where it is necessary to exclude explosive material from electrical terminals I provide a box about my switch apparatus with a slot therein for the handle to protrude and a follower plate on the handle stem and bearing on the box to tightly close the handle slot against admission of gases, fine particles of solid material, etc.

While I have shown a simple embodiment of my invention wherein the supporting members serve also as electric leads for the device, it is to be understood that my invention is useful as a long life support mechanism and that the leads may be joined by flexible wires from the binding posts to the terminals of the switch tube, where this construction is desired.

I-claim:

1. An electric switch structure comprising a mercury tube switch, a backing member mounted to said switch by means of separate clip members each of which has a connection with a respective terminal of the tube switch and a separate extension formed for pivotal support of the switch.

2. In an electric switch structure, in combination, a support member, a set of conducting clips mounted to said support and insulated from each other, a mercury tube switch mounted in said clips and having respective terminals electrically connecting therewith, and rigid conductors connecting with said clips each having a pivotal connection about a common axis of rotation whereby said switch may be tilted into and out ofthe open and closed circuit positions.

3. In an electric switch structure, in combination, a support member, a set of conducting clips mounted to said support and insulated from each other, a mercury tube switch mounted in said clips and having respective terminals electrically connecting therewith, and rigid conductors formed integral with said clips and each having a pivotal connection about a common axis of rotation whereby said switch may be tilted into and out of the open and closed circuit positions.

4. In an electric switch structure, in combination, a support member, a set of conducting clips mounted to said support and insulated from each other, a mercury tube switch mounted between said clips and having respective terminals electrically connecting therewith, and rigid conductors connecting with said clips each having a pivotal connection on a common axis of rotation whereby said switch may be tilted into and out of the open and closed circuit positions.

5. In an electric switch structure, in combination, a mercury tube switch, and separate rigid strap conductors connecting with respective terminals of said tube switch and each having spring pressed pivotal support connection parts on a common axis.

6. A switch unit comprising a mercury switch having a vitreous envelope and electrodessealed therethrough, a mounting member extending longitudinally with said envelope, caps mounted on the ends of said envelope electrically connected to the leads thereof, and clips mounted on said mounting member and having extensions therefrom which form a pluralitytof support members each having aligned portions for mounting the switch on pivots for movement to break and make circuit therethrough.

7. A switch unit comprising a mercury switch having a vitreous envelope and electrodes sealed therethrough, a mounting member extending longitudinally with said envelope, caps mounted on the ends of said envelope electrically connected to the leads thereof, and clips mounted on said mounting member and having extensions integral therewith which form a plurality of support members each having aligned portions for mounting the switch on pivots for movement to break and make circuit therethrough.

8. A switch unit comprising a mercury switch having a vitreous envelope and electrodes sealed therethrough, a mounting member extending longitudinally with said envelope, caps mounted on the ends of said envelope electrically connected to the leads thereof, clips mounted on said mounting member and having extensions therefrom which form a plurality of support members each having aligned portions for mounting the switch on pivots for movement to break and make circuit therethrough, and support members for making pivotal connections to each of said extensions and for making electrical contact by way of said extensions through the switch.

9. A switch unit comprising a mercury switch having a vitreous envelope and electrodes sealed therethrough, a mounting member extending longitudinally with said envelope, caps mounted on the ends ofsaid envelope electrically connected to the leads thereof, clips mounted on said mounting member and having extensions therefrom which form a plurality of support members each having aligned portions for mounting the switch on pivots for movement to break and make circuit therethrough, and support members for making pivotal connections to each of said extensions and for making electrical contact by way of said extensions through the switch and combining connections on said support members for making connections to a circuit in which the switch is used.

Signed at Hoboken in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey this 17th day of October A. D. 1924.

WARREN R. WALKER. 

